Built in 1932 by Joseph Sunlight, it is constructed of steel and concrete and clad in Portland stone under a three-tier mansard slate roof with glazed centre. The building is square in plan with central light-well and 14 storeys high including the attic storeys. It has an eight bay facade and a wide canted corner to the right hand side which rises to an octagonal turret which terminates in a domed lantern with an apex finial.[2] On completion, at 14 stories and 135 feet (41 m), it was the city's tallest building.[3] Its art deco design, complete with mansard roofs make the building a distinctive feature in the city.

South facade in 2002.

Sunlight House was the headquarters of Joseph Sunlight's property business, and was originally intended to be 30 storeys high. This plan was scaled down when it was blocked by the city council. It was claimed to be Northern England's first skyscraper. A 40 storey extension proposed in 1948 was never built.[4]

The building was renovated in 1997 when it was found that bolts holding the cladding had rusted through.[5] It now houses offices, shops and a health club. The health club has an original basement swimming pool.[3]

CIS bought Sunlight House from Gadaricus in 2002 for £27.5million and sold it in 2005 to Warner Estate Holdings for £40m.[6]